Abstract

CEJUDO, Antonio; SAINZ DE BARANDA, Pilar; AYALA, Francisco  and  SANTONJA, Fernando. Normative data of Lower-limb muscle flexibility in senior handball players. CPD [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.2, pp.111-120. ISSN 1989-5879.

The purpose of this study was to define the normative lower-limb flexibility data in senior handball players. For it, the flexibility of the major lower-limb muscles was evaluated throughout 7 different peak joint ROM assessment tests (iliopsoas, quadriceps, adductors, hamstrings, gluteus, gastrocnemius, soleus). 56 senior handball players with more than 9 years of sports experience took part in this study. The results of this study define the normative data as: 41,2^o for the gastrocnemius, 43,1^o for the soleus, 147,8^o for the gluteus, 82,9^o for the hamstrings, 47,5^o for the adductors, 18,5^o for the iliopsoas, and 125,2^o for the quadriceps. The results of the current study demonstrate that the senior handball players assessed have higher normative data of lower-limb flexibility than the previously stabilised flexibility normative data for general population, healthy sedentary adults, as well as for recreationally active adults. Likewise, the normative lower-limb flexibility data for senior handball players are higher or similar than those reported for other sport (tennis, soccer, long distance runners), except for hamstring and iliopsoas flexibility. Finally, no significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant leg and therefore contra lateral muscle imbalances have been rejected.

Keywords : Flexibility; range of motion; physical fitness; sports.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )